Community News: Southwest

BALDWIN HILLS : Neighbors Oppose Housing Project

A proposed development of 12 single-family homes at Hillcrest and Don Ricardo drives is being opposed by neighbors who say the project is being planned without their input.

"These developers, whoever they are, didn't do any legwork in the community," said Carlton Jenkins, president of Founders National Bank and a resident of Hillcrest Drive. "Nobody came to homeowner meetings. It looks like they're going to cut into the remnants of a hill, which doesn't seem feasible. I'm not opposed to the development in concept, but the community needs to know how it'll be affected."

The 2.3-acre development would include grading the hills to make the land suitable for 12 lots, which range in size from 5,000 to 7,000 square feet. The project was recently rejected by the city planning department's Deputy Advisory Agency, which cited unresolved grading and geological problems. However, it is likely that the developers will file an appeal with the city's Planning Commission, said planning department spokesman Gary Klein.

Patricia Penney, a Baldwin Hills real estate broker and longtime resident, said developers have not contacted the Baldwin Hills Estates Homeowners Assn. to determine whether the project would violate the association's guidelines. "They're keeping a really low profile," she said.

Anne Nelson, who has lived on the street for 38 years, said the project would "completely destabilize" the hills. "The hillside is just too steep," she said. "I've been in the community a long time, and seen a lot of ups and downs, and this project would definitely be a down. I've looked at that space many times and thought, 'How in the world could they put that many lots in there?' "

Shelly McMillan, the listed subdivider for the property, could not be reached for comment.